Gourmet, New York, Calabrese pizzas planned for Al Calderone Club in Shorewood

The family that founded the Calderone Club restaurants now plans to open a pizza takeout and delivery restaurant in Shorewood, offering different types of pizzas -- including the family matriarch's Calabrese-style pie.

It will be called Al Calderone Club, which was the name of the original restaurant on the east side, started in the mid-1970s at N. Bartlett and E. Bradford avenues. It’s a tribute to the family patriarch, Antonio Fazzari, who died in September, said his son Carmelo. Carmelo Fazzari operates the Calderone Club in Fox Point; brother Gino operates the Calderone Club downtown.

Carmelo Fazzari said his father was semiretired and had beaten bone cancer once; he was getting bored, so his son proposed they start a takeout restaurant.

After scouting several places and rejecting them, Antonio Fazzari found what he called a beautiful spot. And that’s where Al Calderone Club will open, in a new building at 4475 N. Oakland Ave. It’s expected to open in mid-January.

The new spot will have gourmet thin crust pizzas with options such as Gorgonzola and chicken, some New York style pizza, and matriarch Maria Rosa’s Calabrese-style pizza. Carmelo Fazzari described it as a thicker crust, but “it’s not doughy, it’s fluffy throughout.” It would be topped with tomato, basil and just a little cheese.

Fazzari said whole wheat and gluten-free crusts will be available.

Although it will be mainly takeout and delivery, the restaurant will have stools at a counter for a half-dozen or so diners who want a slice on the spot.

Fazzari said franchising the restaurant is a possibility.

About Carol Deptolla

Carol Deptolla is the Journal Sentinel dining critic. She also reports on restaurants, bars and other food- and drink-related businesses.